EDUCATIONAL POLICY - 1979 New Vocationalism

Question 1

What was the Youth Training Scheme?

Answer 1

A school training scheme that combined work experience and education with each other.

Question 2

What was Vocational Training?

Answer 2

Training for work!

Question 3

What were General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs)?

Answer 3

These were more general vocational qualifications that covered a wide range of areas.

Question 4

What were Modern Apprenticeships?

Answer 4

These were programmes that combined training at work and part-time attendance at college - A mix between work and education!

Question 5

Give some examples of vocational subjects? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 5 examples here!

Answer 5

• Animal care
• Beauty Therapy
• Construction
• Hospitality
• Plumbing

Question 6

What were the Aims of New Vocationalism? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 here!

Answer 6

• To improve Britain’s competitiveness
• To provide a good source of work experience for students
• To improve Britain’s economy in the long-term
• To reduce unemployment levels

Question 7

What are the arguments FOR Vocational Education? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 examples here!

Answer 7

• Vocational education can lead to a more skilled workforce, as it ensures that people are trained for fundamental aspects of work (prepares people for their future jobs and gives them experience)
• Students gain the opportunity to be paid as they work in work-based vocational qualifications (apprenticeships)
• Students gain real work experience, which class-based education cannot always offer
• Work-based learning typically adheres to working hours, which gets people into a routine of going to work

Question 8

What are the arguments AGAINST Vocational Education? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 examples here!

Answer 8

• Training students to fill specific roles overlooks the issues that there isn’t enough high-value work for students to undertake.
• MARXIST ARGUMENT = They would argue that vocational education does not carry the same prestige or life changes as a university (‘myth of meritocracy’ and the lack of ‘parity of esteem’ and equal opportunities between working-class and middle-class students)
• Most vocational qualifications are geared towards underperforming students, which widens class divisions in society.
• Students may be paid for work-based vocational education. However, the minimum wage is low in the UK (around £4.81 an hour)